Labour councillor Lisa Brown made the comments following an announcement by Ofgem that the new energy bill price cap will rise by 54 percent, meaning for millions of households across the UK energy prices may rise by £693.

The price cap rise, which will take effect from April, will apply to 15 million households who have chosen to pay for their electricity in the open-market, opposed to those on fixed-price deals.

"You know when the Bank of England says UK households must brace themselves for the biggest annual fall in their standard of living since comparable records began, that this government has failed the people it has a duty to look out for," she said.

Cllr Brown said we can expect to see a rise of foodbank usage, evictions and further levels of increased poverty.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce further financial support to help ease the pressure on millions of households facing soaring energy bills however, Cllr Brown said this won't "make a dent in the support needed".

The City Council's deputy leader Gareth Ellis said the country's reliance on imported gas and renewable energy has made us 'particularly exposed'.

"Natural gas is a clean and efficient form of energy, and we have trillions of cubic meters of the stuff under ground in the UK.

"Environmentalists would rather we imported it from despotic war mongering regimes than get the stuff out of the ground ourselves. Unfortunately these people seem to have the ear of the government, and or often the least likely to be impacted," he said.

Cllr Ellis said it's good that the government have announced significant rebates on council tax for anyone in band A to D of £150 and a further £200 off fuel bills to help 'soften the blow'.

"12 percent of our energy bills go to pay people to generate electricity from solar panels and other renewables. These green taxes should be suspended immediately and the government get fully on board new nuclear development," he said.

Nikki Scott, energy adviser for Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden said the news of the rise is 'devastating'.

"This price rise for both credit and prepay customers means more people than ever will be making the real-life choice between heating and eating - it's totally unacceptable".

Ms Scott said for anyone worrying about their energy bills, the best step would be to get in touch with Citizens Advice.

Energy-saving Tips

According to Citizens Advice, here are some of the ways you can cut costs on your energy bill.

• Heating and hot water are the biggest part of your energy bills - turn down the thermostat by 1 degree, use the timer so the heating isn't on more than you need and spend less time in the shower; even 1 minute makes a difference.
• Understand your bill - There's lots of information on your bill which can help you save money, for example; if your bill is estimated you could be paying too little or too much so make sure you give regular meter readings; smart meters are great for keeping bills up to date.
• Reduce your outgoings - The cost of energy is really high at the moment and switching to save money isn't really an option.  You might need to look at other areas of your budget to see where you can cut back or look for ways to increase your income. Are you getting all the benefits you're entitled to? Are there grants you can apply for? Have you checked your tax code? When was the last time you checked what direct debits and standing orders you have set up? Do a budget to find out where you can make savings.
• Don't struggle in silence - If you're struggling with your energy bills, speak up. Lots of people are in the same boat at the moment and there is help available to help take the pressure off. Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden have a dedicated Energy Team that provides free, independent and impartial advice tailored to you. If you're struggling with energy bills or would like help to get the most out of your heating system, please contact the Energy Team on 03300 563 037 or email energy@ca-ce.org.uk